Great job, Ai! You gave the best performance!

Thanks! *Chuckle* I think I was able to show everyone the best performance I'm capable of right now.

But…I still lost. Aww, I'm so disappointed.

Just by one point, though…

Whether it was by one point or not, a loss is a loss. Setsu is amazing for winning.

Man, I gave it my absolute very best shot… But it still wasn't enough.

Just how incredible is Setsu, exactly?! Isn't she a little too far out of our league? It's almost unfair to the rest of us! I had fun, but I'm so mad that I lost!

Ughhh, I want to win! I just know I'd be having more fun if I had won!

Ai, you're crying…

What? I am? Ugh, you're right… I must look super pathetic, crying after losing… If I was gonna cry, I really wanted it to be from winning…

You aren't pathetic. It just goes to show how hard you worked, right?

Everyone feels disappointed when their efforts don't pay off, especially if it's something you love to do.

I wanted to win… I REALLY wanted to win. I don't think I've ever cared this badly about winning or losing before.

I thought that winning or losing didn't matter as long as I was having a good time with everyone, whether it was studying, sports, or just casual fun…

This hurts. I didn't realize that losing at something you love doing…after giving it everything you've got…could feel this painful.

Geez. When the heck did being a school idol become so important to me?

Even though this hurts, I can't imagine ever quitting. I still want to keep trying and win next time.

I just love it so much…

Ai…

[Fade in/out.]

*Pant* *Pant* Ai!

Setsu?

Your performance was truly incredible, Ai!

I was just so moved. I got really emotional, and… Uh, how do I say this? I just love you so much!

Thank you for giving us such a wonderful performance.

I will remember your performance today for the rest of my life. That's how much it affected me!

I could never do what you did, even if I tried to copy you. It was the best performance, the best time, and the best feeling in the world!

Thank you so, so, sooo much for all these emotions!

*Huff* *Puff*

Hah… Hahaha! You're talking REALLY fast, Setsu!

Thank you for all that praise. But…I couldn't beat you this time either.

No. I felt that your performance was much better than mine, so if you count my vote for you then we're tied!

So the result from this match is actually a draw!

What?! No, no, no. I'd vote for you anyway, so you're still the winner.

I refuse!

It's not something you can really refuse, though…

If I refuse, I refuse. It's a tie this time! Even if you disagree, that's definitely the result!

Why are you acting like such a child?

I don't care if you call me a child. I AM a child.

You can be stubborn sometimes, you know that?

Say what you want. A tie is a tie.

A tie also means that we still need to settle the score.

Don't you feel at all unsettled leaving it undecided like this?

I declare a rematch! Let's go head-to-head with our very best once again!

You want to…compete again?

Yes, let's! It was really fun! It'd be a waste to do something that was THAT fun only once!

You feel the same way, don't you?

Y-Yeah. I had fun… I really, really had so much fun!

Then we don't have a problem!

Yeah… Okay… Okay.

This is what I wanted to experience… I wanted to compete with someone at full intensity doing something I love to do, and have us motivate each other to greater heights.

I want to completely immerse myself in my favorite thing until my mind goes blank, without worrying about anyone else. I want to get really serious.

I kinda feel like there's a brand new world opening up before me.

All right, Setsu, you're on! I swear I'm gonna win this next time!

I won't lose either!